Sunday Music: 90’s Clash

Yeah, The Clash are legends, but there was some truly great music that came after their heyday as the members continued to experiment into the 1990s. I don’t know how I got into revisiting this stuff this week, but goddamn do I love both of these songs.

First, we have “Rush” by Big Audio Dynamite II. This was Mick Jones’ project. He’s sampling all sorts of stuff and singing over a drum break because… it was the 90s I guess. This track is so 90s-chic it’s almost laughable now, but the song still balances the melancholy with the dance party and punches me in the stomach every time.

Situation no win
Rush for a change of atmosphere
I can’t go on so I give in
Gotta get myself right outta here
https://youtu.be/-h8zs898lr4

Second, we have “X-Ray Style” by Joe Strummer & The Mescaleros. Ever the poet, he’s also singing over drum breaks, but this is the Strummer treatment, you know? If “Rush” hits me in the gut, “X-Ray Style” kisses me on the cheek and tells me it’ll be alright.

Can anybody feel the distance to the Nile
I wanna live and I wanna dance a while

And a live cut because why not…